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Primarion Unveils Dual-Output, Multi-Phase Digital DC/DC Controller

Posted on: Monday, 18 June 2007, 09:02 CDT

Primarion, a mixed-signal semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and markets digital power integrated circuits (ICs), today announced the addition of the dual-output, four-phase PX7542, with 100 picoseconds pulse width modulation (PWM) resolution, to the Primarion Di-POL™ product family of fully programmable digital power conversion and power management ICs.

The highly configurable PX7542 is a power conversion and power management IC for synchronous DC/DC converters in the telecom, datacom, computing and storage markets, compliant with PMBus™ 1.1 specifications. The IC simplifies design and increases density of system level power management architecture with its minimum footprint, by controlling two independent outputs with two phases per output, or one to four phases in a single output mode. The control function handles both DCR and RDSon current sense topologies and a programmable output range of 0.5V to 8V.

"Datacom, telecom, computing and storage market OEMs look for increased flexibility, efficiency, cost savings and density in managing their power systems," said Deepak Savadatti, vice president of marketing for Primarion. "The numerous features of the PX7542, combined with the easy to use GUI, address these key attributes while improving overall system reliability. With the introduction of the PX7542, Primarion has become a one-stop-shop for OEMs, offering cost-effective digital solutions with controllers featuring single output from one to four phases and dual outputs from one to two phases per output."

Configurations for the PX7542 are easily loaded, edited and saved to von-volatile memory (NVM) over the device's I2C serial interface using Primarion's graphical user interface (GUI). With configurations stored on the IC, the controller can perform real-time adjustments to the designer's previously configured settings and thereby optimize performance accuracy, without the delay of accessing outside memory storage.

Other technologies would typically require an external microcontroller for this type of enhanced performance. By integrating the digital control functions with the PMBus interface and easy to use GUI, the PX7542's power management capabilities provide one complete solution, eliminating the need for additional components.

"Primarion has obviously studied the market carefully to determine customer requirements before introducing the PX7542," said Morry Marshall, partner, Advanced Technologies, Semiconductor Partners LLC. "Their GUI helps designers configure, optimize and monitor the power system with no programming required. It combines flexibility with ease of design."

The PX7542 is driven by a single +5V supply and operates over a frequency range of 150KHz to 1MHz. Precise current sharing between phases allows the flexibility to regulate multi-phase operation for higher output loads. The PX7542 maintains accuracy through internal calibrations, which assess and improve system-level current sense error sources upon startup. The programmable current sense temperature compensation allows designers to tailor responses for accuracy over temperature.

Primarion's innovative power system solutions are optimized for flexibility, efficiency and ease-of-use. The PX7542 expands Primarion's digital power management and conversion solutions portfolio and brings overall system cost saving and improved performance to customers.

Summary of Features:

Supports two independent outputs with single or two phase control for each output

Supports a single output with one to four phases; Capable of current sharing and frequency sync with other controllers in the family

Compliant with PMBus 1.1 specification (library of 60 core PMBus commands)

Real-time monitoring and reporting of voltage, current and temperature

Sequencing, margining and tracking of the output voltage over the serial interface

Wide output range: 0.5V to 8V

Supports both DCR and RDSon current sense topologies with digital temperature compensations

Compatible with both tri-state and non-tri-state FET drivers

Extensive fault protection and reporting with user-configurable fault behavior

Digital control loop and active voltage positioning (AVP)

Configurable PWM generator

Start-up into pre-biased load

Internal voltage and temperature referencing

Internal oscillator (no external reference required)

Availability

Already sampling with customers, Primarion's PX7542 power system controllers are available for general sampling this quarter. The PX7542 is available in a RoHS-compliant, 6mm-x-6mm 40-lead QFN package.

More information about the PX7542 is available by contacting Primarion at (866) 321-7746, or by visiting the company's Web site at http://www.primarion.com.

About Primarion:

Primarion is a mixed-signal integrated circuit company that addresses key inflection points in power conversion and power management driven by the exploding demand for digital content and information. Primarion's Digital Power ICs are positioned to beat traditional analog power ICs in cost per amp, performance and features with advantages that grow with each new processor generation. Headquartered in Torrance near Los Angeles, California (USA), the company also has an Asian regional office in Taipei, Taiwan. Primarion has received venture funding from eminent venture funds such as Accel Partners, Lehman Brothers, APV Technology Partners and W Capital Partners. Additional information is available online at http://www.primarion.com.

Source: Business Wire

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